The mission of Rotary International is to support its member clubs in fulfilling the Object of Rotary by fostering unity among member clubs; strengthening and expanding Rotary around the world; communicating worldwide the work of Rotary; and providing a system of international administration. Rotary International was the first-ever service organization and it has been in existence over 100 years. Paul Harris began the Rotary service club in Chicago, Illinois in 1905.Paul Harris created the club to build friendship among business leaders. The early meetings rotated among their different offices, thus the rotary name.
District Governor Harrington shared that there are 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide in 120 countries. There are 35,000 clubs and 535 districts around the world. Regionally, Rotary District 5610 serves 41 clubs and over 1,800 Rotarians, encompassing South Dakota, Northwestern Iowa, Southwestern Minnesota, and Northeastern Nebraska.
Program Highlights for December 4, 2017
The mission of Rotary International focuses on six main areas which include:
1. Peace and Conflict Prevention and Resolution: Rotary provides training, and long-term peace-building opportunities in areas affected by conflict.
2. Disease Prevention and Treatment: Over 2.5 billion children have been immunized from Polio since 1988, and an estimated 9.5 million children have been saved from the terrifying death and paralysis of the disease.
3. Safe Water and Sanitation: Every day over 6,000 children die because of unsafe water. Rotarians help bring safe water to underdeveloped countries.
4. Maternal and Child Health: By bringing vaccines and safe water to underdeveloped countries, Rotary has a direct impact on maternal and child health.
5. Basic Education and Literacy: There are millions of children around the world that have schools, desks, and books because of the Rotarians providing time and money to make help educate the underprivileged.
6. Economic and Community Development: Rotarians provide vocational training teams around the world, helping to develop business and community leaders, especially in impoverished countries.
District Governor Harrington was born in Vermillion, SD, and grew up in the Clear Lake, Iowa area.
After high school he enlisted in the US Navy where he served four years as a hospital corpsman, and an aerospace medicine technician. Following college, he served 22 years as an officer in the Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve. He has a total of 26 years in the military, and retired a Lieutenant Colonel.
District Governor Harrington has his degree in business from Iowa State University, and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of South Dakota. He has served in a variety of business positions with General Motors, the American Red Cross, and the Siouxland Regional Blood Bank. He has been a Development Director, a Marketing Director, and Executive Director in his various business occupations. Steve has been involved with different fundraising campaigns, and has raised a combined total of $1.5 million.
District Governor Harrington has been a Rotarian since 1993, a member of the Sioux City Downtown Rotary Club for 11 years, and is currently a member of the LeMars Rotary club. He has served as club president and as an Assistant Governor (AG). He was elected as District Governor Nominee (DGN) during the 2014-15 Rotary year, followed by a year as District Governor-Elect.
Steve lives in Sioux City and has two grown children, Adam and Amber, and three young grandchildren, Stephen, Davis, and Lucy.
After high school he enlisted in the US Navy where he served four years as a hospital corpsman, and an aerospace medicine technician. Following college, he served 22 years as an officer in the Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve. He has a total of 26 years in the military, and retired a Lieutenant Colonel.
District Governor Harrington has his degree in business from Iowa State University, and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of South Dakota. He has served in a variety of business positions with General Motors, the American Red Cross, and the Siouxland Regional Blood Bank. He has been a Development Director, a Marketing Director, and Executive Director in his various business occupations. Steve has been involved with different fundraising campaigns, and has raised a combined total of $1.5 million.
District Governor Harrington has been a Rotarian since 1993, a member of the Sioux City Downtown Rotary Club for 11 years, and is currently a member of the LeMars Rotary club. He has served as club president and as an Assistant Governor (AG). He was elected as District Governor Nominee (DGN) during the 2014-15 Rotary year, followed by a year as District Governor-Elect.
Steve lives in Sioux City and has two grown children, Adam and Amber, and three young grandchildren, Stephen, Davis, and Lucy.
Program for December 11, 2017
Dr. Brett Bradfield, University of Sioux Falls, President